Bin 77 Bistro and Sidebar

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

More Than a Wine Bar

Bin 77 Bistro and Sidebar sits at Perkins Rowe in Baton Rouge, and the name only tells part of the story. Guests who arrive expecting a narrow wine focus tend to leave surprised — pleasantly so. As one regular put it: "I thought from the ads Bin 77 was about wines. It's really more than that." The restaurant describes its own atmosphere in three words: inviting, relaxing, experiential — and the experience bears that out across food, drink, and live entertainment.

The wine program is genuinely serious. More than 60 wines are offered by the glass, spanning Burgundy Chardonnays, Willamette Valley Pinot Noirs, Napa Cabernets, South African blends, and Portuguese ports, among many others. The list rotates quarterly to keep things fresh and to reflect what's most interesting from producers around the world. For anyone with "wine nerves," the team encourages guests to taste before committing — a small gesture that sets the tone for the whole room. Wine Spectator recognized this commitment with its Award of Excellence, a fitting acknowledgment of a program that balances range with genuine curation.

The Food Holds Its Own

The American menu at Bin 77 is built to complement the drink list without being overshadowed by it. Starters run from Crawfish & Spinach Dip — Louisiana crawfish with Parmesan, Romano, and Manchego — to Tuna Tartar with ginger, eel sauce, jalapeños, and wasabi aioli, to Creole Devils on Horseback, andouille and boudin-stuffed Medjool dates wrapped in applewood smoked bacon. Baked Brie with jalapeño-honey pepper jelly and rosemary pecans has drawn its own fan club.

Mains lean into the region: Louisiana Crawfish Gnocchi in a white wine-tarragon cream, Redfish on the Halfshell with sherry butter-poached lobster, and a 14 oz smoked prime ribeye with tricolor fingerling potatoes and horseradish crème fraîche. Sandwiches and flatbreads round out the midday menu, with a Lobster Roll on griddled brioche among the standouts. Yelp reviewers have singled out the scallops, the shrimp and crab dip, and the blackberry lemon drop martinis with enough enthusiasm to make the point clearly.

Cocktails, Patio, and the Full Picture

The bar program extends well beyond wine. Staff-crafted cocktails include the Midnight Margarita — blueberry poblano-infused tequila with lime and orange liqueur — and the Garden Party, a gin-based build with prickly pear, elderflower, and house strawberry syrup. A thoughtful zero-proof section and an extensive whiskey and scotch selection round out the offerings.

On Wednesday through Saturday evenings, local artists perform live on the outdoor patio starting at 6:30 or 7:00 p.m., turning the space into something closer to a neighborhood gathering than a restaurant visit. Private party hosting and full catering services make Bin 77 a practical choice for events as well — but the draw on any given weeknight is simpler: good American food, a glass of something well-chosen, and music drifting in from outside.